|
Canada has confirmed that it will withdraw from the Kyoto
Protocol by the end of next year, although the move looks
set to be overshadowed by fresh reports that China could agree
to binding emission reduction targets as part of a new treaty.
According to reports
from Canadian news channel CTV, environment minister
Peter Kent told a teleconference that Canada will not agree
to a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol that
would run beyond 2013.
The move was widely expected, following several years
during which Canada has consistently signalled that
it will not sign up to an extension of the treaty.
However, the confirmation will still come as a blow as negotiators
attempt to end the deadlock between developing and industrialised
nations over the future of the treaty.
The EU had hoped to broker a compromise, outlining a new
roadmap late last week that would see the Kyoto Protocol extended,
while developing countries that do not face emissions targets
under Kyoto would sign up to a parallel treaty featuring new
binding emissions reduction obligations.
The Canadian government has repeatedly argued that an alternative
framework for reducing global emissions is needed, but the
move is likely to spark fierce criticism from developing nations
already angry at Canada after reports last week suggested
that the country is planning to ditch the Kyoto Treaty later
this month.
It remains unclear whether Canada will honour its obligations
under the treaty until the first phase ends in 2012 or pull
out of the agreement earlier.
The move will also spark speculation as to whether Japan
and Russia, which have also said that they will not sign up
to a second Kyoto commitment period, will formally reject
any proposals to extend the treaty.
|
